Neorealism

Neorealism, also known as Italian neorealism, is an extremely influential film movement that lasted from 1944 to 1952. Films influenced by neorealism often were extremely low budget, with performances from non professional actors and dealt with themes of poverty, depression, injustice and desperation set in a post World War 2 Italy. Several significant figures of the movement were Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossolini, Giuseppe de Santis, Vittorio De Sica and Roberto Lattuada.  A significant film in the movement was Bicycle Thieves which released in 1948 and is considered one of the greatest films ever.